NORTHERN COLORADO PERIODONTICS
DENTAL IMPLANTS
Restore your smile with dental implants—the most advanced solution for replacing missing teeth. Designed to look, feel, and function just like natural teeth, dental implants provide a durable foundation for a confident, radiant smile that lasts a lifetime.
WHAT ARE DENTAL IMPLANTS?
The Most Reliable Option for Tooth Replacement
Dental implants are a reliable and effective solution for replacing one or more missing teeth. A dental implant consists of a small titanium or zirconia post that acts as an artificial tooth root, providing a sturdy foundation for a crown or cap. Once healed, dental implants function, look, and feel like natural teeth, offering a durable and long-lasting replacement option.
Beyond single-tooth replacements, implants can stabilize complete dentures, ensuring they stay in place while eating or speaking. In some cases, they can eliminate the need for removable dentures entirely. Modern dental implants boast an impressive success rate of approximately 95%, making them one of the safest and most dependable options in dentistry. Unlike traditional bridges, dental implants preserve adjacent teeth, avoid unnecessary shaving of healthy tooth structures, and never decay due to their titanium construction.
With proper oral hygiene and regular dental checkups, implants can last for decades, restoring not only your smile but also your confidence.
ZIRCONIA DENTAL IMPLANTS
Why Choose Zirconia?
Nobel Pearl Zirconia implants provide a metal-free alternative to titanium dental implants for patients who are interested in this solution. Zirconia implants have been shown to be very friendly to the gingival tissues, resulting in excellent soft tissue interface and low inflammatory response, much of which is due to the low plaque affinity of the zirconia material.
The Nobel Pearl System is a two-piece zirconia implant system that uses a carbon-fiber metal-free abutment screw. Stock straight and angled abutments are available. They are indicated for single and multiple unit restorations but are not recommended for immediate loading with a temporary at the time of placement. Additionally, the Nobel Pearl zirconia system can be placed using our NobelGuide/DTX Studio CT guided implant system that our practice has used for nearly all of our implant cases for several years now, ensuring we provide the same excellent placement and restoratively-driven positioning that you are used to from our practice.
IMPLANT SUPPORTED RESTORATIONS
How Dental Implants Enhance Other Treatments
Dental implants can enhance and integrate seamlessly with other dental procedures. For example:
- Stabilizing Dentures: Implants provide support for loose dentures, allowing wearers to eat and smile with confidence.
- Advanced Bone Grafting: In cases where bone loss has occurred, procedures like ridge augmentation or sinus lift grafts can prepare the site for successful implant placement.
- All-on-4® Implants: For certain patients, this innovative technique allows for the placement of a full arch of teeth with minimal preparatory procedures.
- Eliminating Bridges: Unlike traditional bridges, implants do not require alteration of adjacent healthy teeth, reducing the risk of future decay or root canal treatments.
Our experienced doctors carefully evaluate each case, ensuring that your dental implants are integrated into your treatment plan for optimal results.
CANDIDACY & REQUIREMENTS
Are Dental Implants Right for You?
Periodontal disease, the leading cause of tooth loss, affects nearly half of Americans over the age of 30. This common condition can result in swollen, red, or bleeding gums, bad breath, and even loose or missing teeth. Healthy gums and sufficient bone density are essential for successful dental implant placement, making it crucial to address periodontal health before beginning treatment.
In cases where bone loss has occurred due to long-term tooth loss or gum disease, additional procedures such as ridge augmentation or sinus lifts may be necessary to create a stable foundation for implants. For patients with more complex cases, advanced solutions like All-On-4® implants can often bypass the need for extensive preparatory treatments while delivering life-changing results.
Our experienced doctors will thoroughly evaluate your periodontal health and overall oral condition to determine the best approach for your unique needs, ensuring the success and longevity of your dental implants.
WHY CHOOSE NOCO PERIO?
Your Trusted Implantology Specialists
At Northern Colorado Periodontics, we specialize in implant dentistry and are proud to offer the highest standard of care. Dr. Sands, Dr. Shumaker, and Dr. Allen are board-certified diplomates of the American Board of Periodontology and bring years of expertise to every case. Dr. Shumaker is also one of the few diplomats of the International Congress of Oral Implantologists (ICOI) in Colorado, a recognition that requires rigorous testing and presentation of challenging long-term cases.
Our practice utilizes cutting-edge technology, including an in-office CT scanner, to ensure precise diagnosis and treatment planning. We exclusively use Nobel Biocare® and BIOMET 3i™ dental implant systems, two of the most reputable and clinically proven implant brands in the world.
When you choose Northern Colorado Periodontics, you can trust that your smile is in the hands of experienced professionals dedicated to delivering exceptional results.
FAQs
About
Dental Implants
What are dental implants and how do they work?
Dental implants are titanium posts surgically placed into the jawbone to replace missing teeth. At NOCO Perio in Fort Collins and Greeley, CO, implants serve as strong, permanent anchors for crowns, bridges, or dentures. They look, feel, and function like natural teeth while helping to preserve jawbone health.
Who is a good candidate for dental implant surgery?
You may be a candidate if you have one or more missing teeth, healthy gums, and sufficient jawbone density. Even if bone loss is present, our Fort Collins and Greeley specialists offer bone grafting or sinus lift procedures to prepare the jaw for implants. Smokers, diabetics, and patients with certain health conditions may require additional evaluation before surgery.
How much do dental implants cost?
The cost of dental implants varies depending on the number of implants, type of restoration (single crown, bridge, or denture), and whether preparatory procedures like bone grafting are needed. At NOCO Perio, we provide detailed treatment plans and transparent pricing at both our Fort Collins and Greeley offices. While implants are an investment, many patients find them more cost-effective long term compared to bridges or dentures. Financing options are available through CareCredit and Cherry®.
What is the recovery process after dental implant surgery?
Recovery times vary, but most patients in Fort Collins and Greeley experience mild swelling and soreness for a few days after surgery, which is manageable with over-the-counter medication. The implant typically requires 3–6 months to fully integrate with the bone (osseointegration) before the final restoration is attached. Our team provides detailed aftercare instructions to ensure healing and long-term success.
How long do dental implants last?
With proper care, dental implants can last decades — often a lifetime. At NOCO Perio in Fort Collins and Greeley, we emphasize preventive care, regular checkups, and good oral hygiene to maximize implant success. Implants are one of the most durable and reliable tooth replacement solutions available today.